Tractor.



V. BKEII.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5, 1913.

4 SHEETS-S`HEET 2.

ILA, BIIII'EII.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.6. Iam` Imm@ @QI SI, Im

W A WN M wwf WIIIIIMVS? LQJIIIIII franc-tron..

nannies.

Specification of Letters '.Patent.

Patented fillet, 3l, lllllll.

To all whom it may concern:

v13e it known that I, Virus A.. Bonnie, a citizen of the United States, residing at lvlinneapolis, in the county ot' Hennepin and State of' Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Improved Tractors; and I do hereby decla re the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as ivill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i My invention relates to tractors or motor propelled vehicles, and has for its object, iirst, to provide an improved variable speed. transmission mechanism, and second. to provide a common controller and cooperating device by means of which both the speed o1' travel and the direction of travel of the tra@ tor mav he controlled.

In designing the controller have provided an arrangement whereby the speed and the direction of travel of the tractor ma.;7 he controlled h v an action that is substantially like that required to drive a horse.

lil? it he assumed that a horse is trained to decrease speed under'zin increasing pull on the reins, which. is lfre pientl5r the case, and that he is guided lfiv pulling harder on the one rein than on the other, 'vvhicli is alivavs the case, then the analogy between the' wardl)v extended reins. the arrangement heing such that liv equal tension on hoth lines, the said controller ma)Y he drawn rearward, to adjust the transmission mechanism tor speed. and l v pulling .in the one rein harder than on the other. the steering' mechanism may lle adjusted 't'or direction ot travel.

The transmission mechanism. in itself. 'involves numerous novel features. certain' of Which are particularl;v adapted for use in connection with a common controller thereior. and .tor the steeringY meeluinism.

Certain .novel features herein disclosed and which are classified as gearing are .flis- -closed and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States Lill, granted to me of date, September 1914, and entitled lransrnission mechanism, and the application. of which patent was filed as a division ot the present application.

ln the aocompanying;- drawings which illustrate the invention, ,like charaoters'indicate like parte throughout the several views.

Referring` to the drawings: Figure l is a a detail vieiv in horizontal section taken ap proximately on the line on Fig. l; 6 is a. transverse horizontal section talten approximately on the. line @2G-fcc on Fig. e; l? l is a detail in section taken approximateliY on the line ful-ar" on 6, somo parts being broken away; Fig. 8 is a detail vieiv in side elevation ot 'certain of the parts shown in Fig'. 5, some portions lie- ,ing' broken away.

axle and rear traction ivheels 3, front axle l ha vino' pivoted stub axles and front or steering wheels 6 journaled on the said Stull axles. The stub axles 5, as is usual, are provided n'ithparallel arms 'l connected by a cross link 8 which causes the said wheels G to partake of parallel angular steeringmove niente. this 4being' the custmnar)V construction. As a motor for propelling the tractor, a multi-cylinder explosive engine 9 4is preferably employed. and this, as shown. is supported on' a raised. front end portion of the main Atrame l. The engine crank shaft 10` as shown, is connected by a. telescopic or slip coupling 1l. to the vfrontend of a main dividing shaft l2 that extends longitudi-Q null): of the tractorand is journaled iii-suitable hearings, shoivn as supported' oy ay strong casing 13 that is rigidly secured on the truck trame l. lllithin the casing, this main driving` shaft l2 carries a :sprocltcthl-l...

and a tace friction Wheel let. Mounted in suitable bearings on the casmgrl, and ,located 1mmediatelY below the main driving shaft 1Q, but extending rearward: therefrom,

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is a counter :shaft provided, at its rear end with 'a beveled gear 16, which latter is locatedjat the rear end of said shaft. The beveled gear 16 meshes with opposedbeveledgears 17 having sleeve-like hubs that ire journaled on a tubular shaft 18, that sur- `o'unds a transverse counter shaft 19, -the 1 idso-f which latter are journaled in suiti able bearings `2O onthe sides of the casing 13. The counter shaft 19 is capable of-a slight 'endwfise movement. Mounted for sliding movement on the intermediate portion of the tubular shaft 18 is a; reversely beveled friction clutch head 2,1. The counter shaft 19 is provided with radial projecting stud 22 (see Figs. 6 and 7). that extends through a `slot 23 in the tubular shaft 18 and into a radial perforation 24` of the clutch head. This stud 22 causes'the tubular shaft 18- and clutch head 21 to rotate with the ycounter shaft 15 is provided with a sprocket the vsaid shaft 15is 28, over which, and the sprocket 14a on the shaft 12, runs asprocket chain 29, so that closely driven from the saidfshaft 12.

- The so-called face friction wheel 14 on the shaft 12 vconstitutes one element of the variablel speed transmission mechanism proper, and the face` .of this lwheel is arranged for' frictional engagement with the periphery of a peripheral friction wheel 30 that is keyed f or rotation with, but for sliding movements on av transverse shaft 31 that is journaled in suitable bearings on the casing 13.V The hub of the friction wheel 30 is formed with a plurality .of endless circumferentially eX- tended rack teeth32 that mesh with a pinipn.

y 33 secured on the intermediate portion o'f an upright shaft 34 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4), which shaft is journaled in` suitable bearings on the top and bottom of the casing 13. The

shaft 34 carries an upper spur pinion 35 iwlhich, as'shown, 'is of the same size as the spur pinion 33, so that in Fig. 1, it appears to mesh with the endless rack 32, but is located far above the same and is in mesh with the rack teeth 36 ofY a tubular rectangular rack bar or casing 37, which latter is mounted to slide forwardly and-rearwardly Ion a fixed horizontal guide bar 38 secured at its endstothe upper portion ofthe casing 13. A coiled spring 39 attached to the rack bar 37 and tothe guide bar 38 yieldingly draws the said rack bar forward.

The numeral indicates a :so-called primary speed regulating slide, the purpose of which will presently appear, and which slidc is mounted for sliding movements in the fixed bar 38 and is provided at its rear end with a laterally projecting swiveled bearing 48a.

The chief element vof the common controller for the transmission mechanism and steering mechanism, is preferably in thev form lof an upright rod 41, the upper portion of which is supported by and journaled `in the swivele'd bearing 40a, and the lower end of which is journaled with freedom for forward and rearward movements in a vertlcal plane, in vertically spaced bearing lugs 42 (see Figs. 3 and 6), of a sleevey 43 that is swiveled on the left hand end of shaft bearing 20. Between the lugs 32, the said oontroller rod 41 is provided with a spur gear 44 that' is in constant mesh with th`e endless rack teeth 26 of the clutch actuated shaft 19.

It will be remembered that the shaft 12 is cap-able of slight endwise movement. This is to permit the face friction wheel 14 to be moved into and out Vof frictional engagement with the peripheral friction. wheel 30. For'yieldingly pressing the said wheel 14 against the wheel 30, a coiled spring 45 (sce Fig. 4) is placed around 'the shaft 12 and compressed between the casing 13 and a flange 46 on the said shaft. The said flange 46 is engaged by the depending arms of a bell crank 47 that is pivoted on a transverse supporting rod 48 secured at its ends to the sides of the casing 13. The upper arm of the said bell crank. is' preferably equipped with a roller 49 that is adapted to be engaged by a cam acting rib 50 of the -primaiwY slide 40, heretofore noted. A stud 51 projects from the slide 4Q and works in a slot of the tubular secondary slide 37, so that the said slide 40 has a limited sliding movement in respect to the said slide 37. A coiled spring 53 attached to the lcasing' 13 and to the stud 51, puts the slide 40 under a strain to move forward. n l

The fixed bar 38 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 8) is provided u ith rack teeth that are preferably divided into several longitudinally spaced i groups a4, ao and a6. The tubular slide 37 is provided with a pivoted dog .57 that is normally gravity-held in engagement with certain of the rack teeth 54, or 56. and is provided with an oblique nose 58 adapted to be engaged by a tripping block or abutment 59, that has frictional engagement with one inner wall of the tubular slide 37 and with the adjacent face of the fixed rack bar 38, but is given the greater frictional engagement with the latter, by means of a leather or similar facingGQ secured to said lblock. The said block, however, is provided l Lacasse with a projecting stud 61 that works'in a short longitudinal slot 62 in the adjacent wall of the tubular slide 37. sion mechanism has now been described.,

The worm 27, clutches 21 and :25, shaft 19, and pinion 44, constitute elements of the steering mechanism proper,l which steering mechanism as illustrated, also includes the following devices. The said worm 27 meshes with a worm gear 63 which is secured on the rear end of a counter shaft G4 journaledin' suitable bearings on the casing 13 and lprovided at its front end with a skew gear 65 (see Figs. 1 and 4). This skew gear 65 meshes with asimilar skew gear 6G secured on a shorttransverse crank shaft G7 journaled in suitable bearings on the casing 13 and provided with an upwardly extended crank arm G8. llhis crank armS is connected by a link 69 to an-'arm 7 0, which projects inwardly from `one of the front stub axles 5. The steering. connections have now beendescribed.

As further elements of the common controller for the transmission .and steering mechanisms, the controller rod 41 is provided at its upper end with a cross arm 74,

that is rigidly secured thereto at its intermediate portion. 'llie controlling reins or lines are secured at their front ends to' the opposite ends of the said head 74. These reins may extend rearward to `any suitable point, such, for instance as to a platform of a gang plow, or to the working platform or within reachof the' seat of a harvester, and if desired, any suitable means may be provided for anchoring the rear ends of the said reins. v Usually, however, these reins will be held in the hands of the operator.-

The tractor illustrated vis of the type wherein all of the wheels are positivelydriven, and hence, utilized as traction wheels. This is accomplished by a long sprocket chain 71 which runs overa sprocket 72 on 4the rear axle 2 and over a front sprocket 73 whichl is connected by'a guide shaft, not

shown, to the hubs of the front wheels. ThisV wheel. driven connection, however, constitutes no part oi the present invention, and for thatl reason, has not been more fully illust-rated.. A lsprocket chain 7 G runs over sprocket wheels 77 and 78 respectively, on the shaft 31 and rear axle 2.

peration: First, as to the steering connections, it will be understood from the foregoing description, that the two beveled gears 17 are constantly driven in opposite directions, and that the controller rod 41 and its gear 44 mayy be oscillated in the one direction or the other, byja greater pull on the one rein or operating line 75 than on the Aother. The engagement between the pinion 44 and the endless rack teeth *26 of the lclutch operating shaft 19 permits free rotation of the mid shaft. and bv the oscillating move- The transmisments of the said lpinion just noted, the said shaft may be moved endwise to force the 'one clutch head 21 into engagement with either Vthe right hand or left hand clutch flanges 25. In. thisl way, the tubular shaft 18, and its worm 27 may be coupled at will to either of the continuously ruiming reversely driven gears 17. Obviously, when the worm 27 is driven in one direction, it will, through the connections described, move the steering link 69 forward, while, when it lis driven in the 4opposite direction, it will move the said link G9 rearward. In this way, the parallel steering movements are, by the power of the engine, imparted to the front wheels G. Of course, when the clutch head Q1 is moved into an intermediate position, it will not vbe engaged. with either of the clutch flanges 25, and hence,-

the worm 27 will -remain stationary, and the wheels 6 held in any adjustment in which they may be set. The engagement between the worm '27 and the worm gear 63 serves as a lock to'maintain such adjust ment.

The adjustment ofthe transmission mechanism for different speeds is, as already indicated, accomplished by forward and rearward movements ofthe upper end of the controller rod 41, produced by pulling on or releasing the Ireins 7 ln the arrangement illustrated, the speed will be decreased as the upper end of the controller rod 41 is pulled rearward to a certain point which sets the peripheral friction wheel 30 in the Vertical plane of the axis of the face friction wheel 14, and further rearward pull beyond this point will reverse the action of the. transmission mechanism.

Specilically described, the adjustments of the transmission mechanism for different speeds and reversal, are as follows: Non mally, vor after each adjustment for speed has been made, the so-called primary slide 40'will, by its spring 53, be returned to its most forward position shown 'in Figs. 4, 5 and 8. rlhe initial rearward movement of the said primary 'slide 40 causes its cam rib 50 to engage the roller 49 of thc bell crank 47, and operates through the latter, to move the face friction wheel 14 out of engagement with the peripheral friction wheel 30. This preliminary action makesv the lateral adjustment of the friction wheel 30, a very easy matter. .Vhen the 'slide 40 is drawn rearward far enough to engage its stud 51 with the rear limit of itsslot o2 of the secondary slide 37, and this rearward movement of the said primary slide 40 is continued, the secondary slide will be caused to move rearward in opposition to the tension of its spring 39. The dog 57, by its engagement with the teeth 54, 55 or 56, as the case may 37 to the fixed bar 38. The movement of the be, will temporarily lock the secondary slide secondarlt7 slide 37, operatingthrough the rack 3G, shaft 34, pinions 33 and 35, and endless rack teeth 32, causes the friction wheel 30 tomove laterally toward and from the axis ofthe friction wheel lil, so that4 it will be seen that the position of the said wheel 30 will depend on the position of the secondary slide 3T. The farther forward the secondaryT slide 37 is moved and set, the farther the friction wheel 30 willbe set from the axis of the friction wheel. 14, and, consequently, the greater the speed. r1`he converse of this statementis also, of course, true. For reversal, to drive the tractor backward, the

slide 37 is set rearward far enough to engage the pawl 57 with the ratchet teeth 5G of the fixed bar 38, and this will carrythe friction wheel 8O laterally to the slide end side of the axis of the wheel 14. Reversal will be under slow speed.` i

lVlien the secondary slide 37 has been drawn rearward and hooked up 'or secuied by the dog 5T, as just stated, the friction wheel 1J: will not be rengaged by the friction wheel 3() until the priinarv slide l0 has been permitted to move forward to its normal position, thereby throwing` its cam rib 50 out of engagement with the wheel 4-9 of the bell crank l?, whereupon the spring @t5 will again exert its pressure to hold-thesaid friction wheel ll in frictional driving en Yto the fixed bar but when its stud (3l reaches the limit of the slot (32, it will be positively caused to move with the secondary slide 237. ll'hen the dog 57, which is'carried by the secondary slide, is engaged with one of the teeth 55, as best shown fin Fig. 1S, the tripping block 59 will stand in the position shown in the said view. The dog 5T is released from the ratchet teeth of the bar SSby engagement of its nose 5S with the tripping block 59, at a time when the secondary slide 9T is given forwardmovement, and while the said blockl is frictionally held to vthe fixed bar ,38. But in `the position. of the parts shown in F ig. S the said slide 3T cannot be given suflicient forward movement to accomplish this result, because of the closi` engagement between the said dog 57 and the teethv of the said bar 3S. To accomplish this release of the dog 57, the slide 3T must be drawn forward to a position in which the dog 5T will engage the .long clearance passage between the teeth 55 and 5G. position and the slide 3i is moved rearward.

lllhen the dog is brought to this tlie'nose 5S of the said dog will be cammed up 'ard by the blocl; 59 and the` dog released while the said dog is frictionally held or stuck to the fixed bar 3S, and while its stud (5l is moving rearward in the slot 62 of the said secondary bar 3T. After the dog has been released, the stud 61 and slot 62 will canse the trilnjiing block 59 to move rearward with the said secondary slide 3T. The release of the dog 5T may b1` also accomplished from a position in which is engaged in the long notch betweeiwthe teeth 5l and A lt-will thus be scm that the tripping block 59 has a slight m.)v`ement in respect to the secondary slide 3i', necessaryY to rel\ase the dog 5T, but that after `such movement is aciaanplished, it moves or travels with the said slide and will always be set in a position to release the dog under an initial forward movement of the slide that is slightly greater than the length of the i teeth 5l and When the dog 5T has been released, as above stated, the slide 3T may be moved or permitted to move under the action of its Ispring 239, forward to a position for maximum forwardl speed, or may be stopped in an intermediate point and interlockeijl with any one of the teeth 5lor 55, simply by giving the said slide 3T the proper rearward movement while its dog 5T is rw leased by the block 59 and then a slight forwardmovement away from the tripping block 59. finder this forward adjustment, the secondary slide 3T may be locked where desired, butthe friction wheel ll will not be rengaged by the friction wheel 30 until the primary slide 49 has reached or approximately reached the limit of its forward movement. y

From the foregoing, it is thought to 'be clear how the common controller is operated, under movement in one direction, to control the steering mechanism, and under yanother movement, to control or adj ust the variable speed transmission mechanism. vThese two adjustments may be accomplished independently or at different times, or may be accomplished simultaneously, by imparting to the controller rod 1l an oscillatory movementon its own axis while it is being given a l'orward or rearward movement.

That 1 claifm is:

l. In a motor-propelled vehicle, the combination with a steering mechanism and a motor driven transmission mechanism, of af common controller operatively connected to said two mechanisms and having two actions, the one foi controlling said'steering mechanism, `and the other for controlling said transmission mechanism.

Q. 1n a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with steeringl mechanism and a variable speed transmission mechanism. of a common controller for the said two mecha-i nisnis` mounted for movement on two diilei'f-y ent lines` the movement on one line sewi'iig- .to regulate the speed andthe movement:onfl

the other line serving to regulate the direc.

tion of travel.

3, 'ln a motorpropelled vehicle, the conibination with a steering mechanism' and a variable speed transmission mechanism, `of a common controller for the said two mechanisnis,'the said. controllen'having extended reins whereby-it maybe operated from a dis- 'other movement of the said controller.

5. ln a motorpropelled vehicle, the ,coinbination with a steering mechanism and a variable speed transmission mechanism, of a common controller for said two mechanisms, operatively connectedl to both thereof, and mounted for forward. .and rearward movements to adjust said transmissionv mechanism and for oscillating movements on'iits own axis to adjust said steeringl mechanism.

6. ln a motor propelled vehicle, the com bination with a steering mechanism and a variable speed transmission mechanism, of a common controller for said two mechanisms operatively connected -to both thereof and mounted for forward and rearwardmovements to adjust said transmission mechanisni and for-oscillating movements onl its own axis to adjust said steering mechanism, said controller having a head projecting in opposite sides of its axis, and reins attached to the opposite ends of said head and eX-. tended therefrom.

'7. in a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with a steering mechanism and a variable speed'transinission mechanism, of a common controller for said two mechanisms operatively mounted for forward and rearward movements to adjust said .transmission mechanisin and for oscillating movements on its own axis to adjust said steering mechanism, said controller having a head projectingin opposite sides of its axis, and reins attached to the opposite ends ofl said head and extended therefrom, ,and yielding means tendingr to move said controller in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is moved longitudinally of the tractor, by pulling on said reins.

S ln a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with a steering mechanism and a reliable speed transmission mechanism, the

i inca-,frasconnected to bbth thereof and:

latter including coperating `frictionwheels, of a relatively'fixed guide, primary andsecondary slides mounted on said guide anidfunder yielding strain to. move in'. a common direct-ion, a .connection between said secondary slide and one of said friction'wheels, for-adjusting the same, aconnection operated by said primary slide arranged. ,to separate said friction wheels while tlieuone is'loeing adn j justed in vrespect to the other, means forf'yf locking said secondary slide in different positions for different speeds,'and a'coinmon I controller connected to saidprimary slide and to said steering mechanismt 9. In a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with a steering mechanism and a variable speed transmission mechanism, the

`latter including coperatin'gfriction wheels, .cfa relatively lixed guide, primary and sec-2 .ondaryslides mounted on said guide and .to said fixed guide' and having a limited movement only in respect to said secondary slide, and a controller rod connectedto said transmission mechanism and to. said primary 100 slide, forward and'rearward movements of said rod serving to'adjust the transmission.

mechanism', and oscillatory movements of said rod on its own axis serving to adjust said steering mechanismP 10.' In a motor-propelled vehicle, the coinbination with a steering mechanism and a vari-able speed transmission mechanism, of a common' controller for said two mechanisms, said variable speed transmission 11a mechanism including ma regulating device. arranged to-be set by said common controller in different positions for the transmission of different speeds. 4 l

11. In a motor propelled vehicle, the com- 115 bination with a steering mechanism and a variable'speed transmission mechanism. of a common controllerfor the said two mechanisms. mounted for movement on two different lines, the movement on one line serv- 120 combination with a steering mechanism and a variable speed transmission mechanism, off130 'a common controlle'i` for the said two mechlanisms, mounted for movement on two dife'ferent lines; the movementon one line serv- ,toiregulate the speed and the movement irthe'other line serving to regulate the direction oftravel, said 'speed transmission mechanism comprising a regulating device adapted to be set by said common controller in different positions for the transmission of different speeds, l and means whereby said regulatingdevice may be released at will by movements of said connnon controller.

13. In a motor propelled vehicle, the .coinbination .with steering mechanism and a motorV propelled transmission mechanism, of a common controller having two diiferent movements, the one movement thereof serving tomanipulate thel one mechanism and the other movement thereof serving -to manipulate the other mechanism.

14. In a motor propelled vehicle, the combination with a steering mechanism and a motor propelled transmission mechanism, of av common controller for said two mech- 'anisms -having two different movements, the

one movement serving to manipulate said `steering mechanism without disturbing` said transmission `mechanism, and the other connected to said' two mechanisms, and having three' actions, one for controlling said 'steering mechanism and the other two for controlling, at will, the transmission of power, through said transmission mechanism, for forward and reverse travel.

16. In a motor-propelled vehicle,.the com- .,bination with transmission and steering tively connected thereto and having two functions, one for'c'ontrolling said steering mechanism and the otherI vfor controlling mechanisms, of a common controller opera-l a common controller operatively connected to said two mechanisms and having two actions, the one. for controlling said steering mechanism, and the other for controlling said transmission mechanism, yielding means tend-ing to move said common controller forward, and a pairof reins connected to and extended rearward from said controller, and operative, in oppositionv to said yielding means, for moving said controller bodily rearward and for otherwise manipulation of the saine.

` 18. In a motor-propelled vehicle, the conibination with steering mechanism and a reversible transmission mechanism, of a connnon controller ope atively connected to said two mechanisms vand having three actions, the one for controlling said steering mechanism,- and the other two for controlling, at will, the 'transmission of power` lthrough said transmission mechanism, for

forward and reverse travel.

19. In a motor-propelled vehicle, the combination with steering mechanism and a rcversible transmission mechanism, of a common controller operatively connected to said two mechanisms and having three actions, the one for 'controlling said `steering mechanism, and the other .two for controlling, at will, the transmission of power through said transmission mechanism, for forward and reverse travel, and a pair of reins connected to said connnon controller and extended therefrom for manipulating the same from a distant point.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VITUS A. BOKER. 4llVitnesses i HARRY D. KiLGoRic, F. D. MERCHANT. 

